Louis DeSipio
Professor of Chicano/Latino Studies and Political Science | UC Irvine
Irvine, CA, UNITED STATES
Louis DeSipio examines how democratic nations incorporate new members, including policymaking in the areas of immigration.
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Biography
Louis DeSipio examines how democratic nations incorporate new members, including policymaking in the areas of immigration and voting rights. He also studies Latino political behavior.
Areas of Expertise (5)
U.S. Electoral Politics
Immigration
Ethnic Politics
Latino Politics
Latino Studies
Education (3)
University of Texas at Austin: PhD 1993
University of Texas at Austin: MA, Latin American Studies 1984
Columbia University: BA, History 1981
Affiliations (1)
- American Political Science Association
Links (5)
Media Appearances (16)
Santa Ana voters to decide if councilmembers get raise — it would give leaders $78,000 to start
The Orange County Register online
2024-06-19
Louis DeSipio, professor of political science and Chicano/Latino studies at UC Irvine, said council members have many responsibilities, and limiting the pay range can also limit who can afford to serve in such positions at the local level and beyond. In the case of Santa Ana, for example, the City Council has been racially and ethnically diverse, but has lacked in professional or economic background diversity, he said.
At Nixon Library, Robert F. Kennedy Jr. advocates for scaling back America’s military presence
The Orange County Register online
2024-06-12
While the poll was not conducted in California (it surveyed voters in five swing states: Arizona, North Carolina, Nevada, Texas and Pennsylvania), the phenomenon seen in those states among Latino voters would hold for California as well, said UC Irvine political science professor Louis DeSipio. DeSipio said there may be more appeal for third-party candidates in California because it’s not a battleground, thus an “easier vote” for voters. Plus, there is frustration among Latino voters, who are younger than average, with both Trump and Biden because of their “age and perception that neither of them understands the experience of young working Latinos,” said DeSipio.
Could AI strengthen border security operations? A new bill seeks to find out
The Orange County Register online
2024-04-26
However, there are concerns with using AI at the border, including those revolving around privacy, human rights and the perpetuation of racial discrimination of migrants. That’s the challenge that AI presents at this stage in its development, said Louis DeSipio, a political science professor at UC Irvine. “It is built sort of based on the biases of the society that programmed it,” DeSipio said. “If AI were being used for immigrant visas or tourist visas or other short-term visas, there would have to be some sort of human redundancy check to make sure that the technology isn’t excluding a whole class of people.”
Trump “not used” to situations where he is “not in control”’
Sky News Australia online
2024-04-28
Donald Trump continues to spend more time in court than on the election trail and it is costing him millions and millions of dollars. “He’s not used to situations where he’s not in control and, right now, he has to listen to a judge, and his fate is in the hands of 12 citizens. That does not make him very happy,” University of California, Irvine political science professor Louis DeSipio told Sky News Australia.
Six California House races that could help determine control of Congress
Los Angeles Times online
2024-04-26
As a first-time candidate emerging from a crowded primary, [Derek] Tran faces the challenge of building name recognition against a candidate who is already well known in the district. That will be compounded by two things, said UC Irvine political science professor Louis DeSipio. [Michelle] Steel has a massive fundraising advantage, with more than $3 million on hand compared to Tran’s nearly $200,000. She also has the benefits of incumbency. “I think Tran has much more of an uphill battle to be able to get his issues and his name into voters’ minds,” DeSipio said.
Trump “not used” to situations where he is “not in control”’
Sky News Australia online
2024-04-28
Donald Trump continues to spend more time in court than on the election trail and it is costing him millions and millions of dollars. “He’s not used to situations where he’s not in control and, right now, he has to listen to a judge, and his fate is in the hands of 12 citizens. That does not make him very happy,” University of California, Irvine political science professor Louis DeSipio told Sky News Australia.
“Challenging” for Biden to “rectify” young voter support on Gaza war before election
Sky News Australia online
2024-05-14
University of California, Irvine political science Professor Louis DeSipio says it will be “particularly challenging” for President Joe Biden to “rectify” support with young voters on the war on Gaza before the 2024 election. A new poll by The New York Times has former president Donald Trump leading in five crucial battleground states. “For young voters, the war in Gaza is a particular issue, and that’s one that’s going to be particularly challenging for President Biden to rectify between now and the election,” Mr. DeSipio told Sky News Australia.
California could see record low voter turnout this primary. Why the apathy?
KNX News online
2024-03-05
KNX News' Chris Sedens goes in depth into why voter turnout here in California might reach a record low for a primary. Louis DeSipio is a UC Irvine political science professor. “Well, I don’t think it’s unique to this primary election. California has made the decision over the last several presidential elections to have its primary earlier and earlier – we’ve joined the Super Tuesday primary states – so the general election is six months in the future. We also have a pretty non-competitive race at the top of the ticket for both parties, so that discourages participation even further,” says DeSipio.
Turnout Low So Far in Orange County for Presidential Primary
My News LA online
2024-03-04
UC Irvine political science professor Lou DeSipio said because he lives in that district, [47th Congressional district], “I’m inundated every day with mailers from both sides, which confirms how much money is blowing around.” [Joanna] Weiss, he added, was “running a very serious campaign against the more establishment Dave Min.” DeSipio said he assumes [Scott] Baugh “will be in the top two,” and that the race will come down to Weiss or Min.
Joe Biden contradictory TikTok move an attempt to ‘reach younger voters’
Sky News Australia online
2024-02-17
University of California Irvine political science professor Louis DeSipio says Joe Biden’s TikTok move could be his way of reaching out to younger voters. “I think the TikTok – at least the one that the campaign put out – may have worked to slightly to his advantage. Not it alone, but if it’s part of a broader media strategy. President Biden has been weak among younger voters – people in their 20s – and one effective way of reaching out to them is through TikTok,” Mr. DeSipio told Sky News Australia.
“Many” will follow in Navalny’s footsteps despite him being a “unique leader”
Sky News Australia online
2024-02-17
University of California, Irvine political science professor Louis DeSipio is “confident” there will be many more Putin opposers, such as Alexei Navalny, despite him being a “unique leader of the movement.” Mr. DeSipio’s comments come in light of the death of Vladimir Putin's most significant opponent, Alexei Navalny. … “Mr. Navalny was a unique leader of that movement. It’s not clear who his successor will be … who will take up the mantle of challenging President Putin. But I think we can be confident that there will be many that follow,” Mr. DeSipio told Sky News Australia.
Immigration emerges as key 2024 election wedge issue for Trump, vulnerability for Biden
ABC News online
2024-01-25
Biden's apparent shift "appeals to moderates and independents in the electorate but does risk alienating more progressive members of the party," said Louis DeSipio, a political science and Chicano-Latino professor at UC Irvine. "Biden's on a tightrope with this issue," DeSipio said. "It's the first time in quite a while that Democrats have had this level of internal division over immigration." … DeSipio said Trump, both during his presidency and in the years since, has "captured the fear of the change that was coming to the country" with migration over the past few decades and amplified it.
Is the Democratic party shifting its thinking on immigration?
LAist – AirTalk online
2023-12-18
With the crisis at the border mounting, immigration is expected to be a hot-button issue for 2024’s elections … Immigration has long been a wedge issue for Republicans, but how are the politics of immigration shifting within the Democratic party? Joining us to discuss … Louis DeSipio, professor of political science and Chicano/Latino studies at University of California, Irvine. “I think it’s very significant in that this is the first serious conversation about immigration in Congress in a decade. And it’s unfortunate that it’s not a debate about the broad parameters of immigration but it’s very focused on restriction and particularly restriction of asylum seekers,” says DeSipio.
U.S. diplomat Henry Kissinger dies aged 100
Sky News Australia online
2023-11-29
University of California, Irvine Political Science Professor Louis DeSipio says former U.S. secretary of state Henry Kissinger had a “willing accomplice” in former President Richard Nixon and was “entrusted” with his “clear ideas” on what he wanted to do. … “Nixon placed foreign policy at the center of his administration in a way that few presidents had, and he entrusted Mr. Kissinger with guiding that policy and Kissinger had very clear ideas about what he wanted to do,” says DeSipio.
Kevin McCarthy’s exit “not unprecedented” after pre-election agreement
Sky News Australia online
2023-10-04
Former US House of Representatives speaker Kevin McCarthy’s exit was not unprecedented as it took 15 separate ballot attempts to elect him, says University of California, Irvine professor [of political science and Chicano/Latino studies] Louis DeSipio. “He agreed to a process whereby any single member could challenge his maintaining the office. Today, somebody took him up on that – and the vote was narrow but it was enough to remove him from the office … I think it is going to be a free-for-all for the next week – and we’ll see who is able to unite much of that caucus.” says DeSipio.
House Speaker Kevin McCarthy voted out. “What a shock to the system!”
KNX In-Depth online
2023-10-03
KNX In Depth's Rob Archer and Elsa Ramon discuss the House vote to remove Speaker Kevin McCarthy … Louis DeSipio is a political analyst and professor [of political science and Chicano/Latino studies] at UC Irvine. “The Speaker pro temp will have very little power except for sort of procedural power. The real effort will be to identify somebody who wants to assume the speakership right now – and that’s a very difficult challenge for any member of Congress,” says DeSipio. [Starts 9:20]
